Love that Does.

"DON'T PAY CHRISTIANS TO BE CHRISTIANS, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN."

JP has shared so much truth the past two Sundays it has really got me thinking…

Are we settled on knowing God conceptually, or do we truly know God? Do we have a relationship that when He comes back…Christ will invite us to come with Him? (Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 5:6-7, Luke 14:27)

Do we have a LOVE that SEEKS out the needy, SERVES them not by what they deserve but by what they need, and SENDS others towards Christ- compelling them to want to know our God? (James 1:27, Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25)

It is sad to me that the same excuses Jesus talks about in Luke 14, that they used to not come to his banqueting table, are the same we use today. We have misplaced priorities because of our possessions, professions, and people in our lives. So often we let the good things in our life distract us from the ultimate. I pray that we stop filling our lives with stuff, and start filling our lives with Christ.

I felt convicted about how selfish I often can be, and how I have had the attitude of what is going to happen to me if I stop and help someone? Maybe I’ll be late to where I am going. Compared to the attitude of the Samaritan, what will happen to them if I do not stop to help? It truly concerns me that selflessness is so uncommon that it seems crazy. I pray that we would live selflessly, generously, and show mercy to others.

Why do we look at others and ourselves in terms of what we deserve? We deserve nothing, yet have been given everything. We have been given grace, upon grace, upon grace...why do we not love others this way? Like JP said, there are a lot of people doing good in this world (see Oprah), but if it is not done in the name of the Gospel we are just building this world…instead of the eternal kingdom. (Titus 3:4-7) I pray that we would never forget what Christ has done for us, and that we would continue sharing the Good News with all those we meet. I pray that our good deeds would be out of love for Christ and always point back to Him.

I know these are a lot of thoughts, but we seem to often forget the greatest commandments: love God and love others. (Matthew 22:37-39)

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

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When God Doesn't Change Your Circumstances...

“WHEN GOD DOESN’T CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE; ASK HIM TO CHANGE YOUR HEART.”

Wow, Tuesday was incredible! Nick brought his A-game for sure! If you missed it please go back and check it out online. There were so many take-a-ways, but one that has been on my heart is the fact that “when God is silent, we go to false conclusions”. We are so incredible impatient with God, because of our own agendas. We seem to forget...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

Remember, God is sovereign, good, loving, and he doesn’t make mistakes. “Although you may not understand Him (what he is doing all the time), trust Him.”

We get caught up in ourselves at times that we forget who God is, what Jesus did for us, and how blessed we truly are. This Thanksgiving I pray that we would be THANKFUL, JOYFUL, and HOPEFUL in Christ Jesus. Instead of going to our family and friend’s homes to be served...let us follow Jesus’ example and serve others.

Offer to bring something, and if the host says you don’t need to...bring something anyways. Offer to help clean up, and if the host says not to worry...help clean up anyways. Offer to say grace, and if people look hesitant...pray anyways. Share the joy and hope you have found in the Gospel with those around you this week.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Have you thanked God lately? I encourage you to stop wherever you are, what ever you are doing, and take some time with your Heavenly Father who has given you more than you ever need, and more than you ever deserve. Give thanks... (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

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The Greatest Motivator in Life is Love.

Afshin was incredible last Tuesday! I truly enjoyed learning about Islam and the differences in Muslim and Christian beliefs. I left filled with joy that we serve a loving and just God. It was great to be reminded that our faith has historical facts to validate what we believe. And that our salvation is not based on a weighted scale, but based on grace through faith.

“Our good works are a proof of our salvation, not to earn it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“If righteousness could be earned through works, Jesus died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

“You stand on what you have done, or what Christ has done.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8)

Just earlier this morning I was on a plane back to Dallas and pulled out my notes journal to write today’s Porch News. The man sitting next to me asked if I was a student, and I replied, “No sir, I am working on a devotional for my church group. We actually had this incredible speaker come and share with us about Islam last Tuesday...” I got so excited about the opportunity God was providing. After a few minutes of chatting he finally said, “Yeah I sort of believe that all religions could be correct and lead to the same god.” OH BOY!!! PERFECT lay-up for conversation. I opened my notes from the past two weeks and went through them sharing about Islam, Universalism, Pluralism, Inclusivism, Exclusivism, and we continued chatting. It was awesome! God is so good! He is LORD. He is the great I AM! His Word is truth. O praise Him!

"Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.'" (John 10:25-30)

The truth is when I got on the plane I couldn’t wait to talk about all the football games this weekend, but the man next to me wasn’t interested in football. Praise God I didn’t waste time trying to talk to him about stuff that really doesn’t matter, when that time was obviously meant to be used for the glory of God. O praise Him!

“Love by its very nature must be freely given. If you love someone for what they give you, you don’t love them, you love what they do.”

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A Loving Response to Truth.

"A LOVING RESPONSE TO TRUTH IS TO POINT OTHERS TO TRUTH IN LOVE"- JP

WOW, if you missed last Tuesday PLEASE go back and listen to it. JP started our Apologetics Series and brought it! Have you ever heard people say things like: "I believe that you just need to believe in something (anything)", "Everyone will ultimately go to Heaven", "All religions are true", "If you're doing what feels right to you, then it must be ok"?? Check out the truth to those statements in last week's message. (1 Peter 3:15)

Instead of doing my normal devo, Team Next Steps would like to wish JP a HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY!!! JP has done just what last week's message was about...He has pointed each of us to truth in love.

Here is a TOP 10 List of things JP has taught us this year:

10. I’ve learned that being single is a time to fully leverage myself for the Lord and grow in Him, preparing myself for however God chooses to use me during the rest of my life. (James 5:8) -Kyle Bourne-

9. I’ve learned what it means to walk in the light (1 John 1:7), grateful for your friendship and your countless sit downs full of encouragement. (Hebrews 10:24-25) -Jarid Ghaffari-

8. I’ve learned "It's not about YOU! It's about GOD." (JP) This life is not about me and my desires. It is about living only to glorify GOD. So, those whose are lost can see my eternal joy from the works Christ Jesus is doing in my life. (Galatians 2:20) –Nick Chilton-

7. I’ve learned not to pray that God will remove all the trials in my life. Rather to be joyful in spirit, as such trials can bring a new closeness with and understanding of Christ’s character when I persevere well in Him. (James 1:12) -Nathan Harness-

6. I’ve learned what patiently bearing with one another looks like, as JP has borne with me in my weakness (Ephesians 4:2-3). –Chris Gurley-

5. I've learned to trust and obey the Lord. To not rely on my own judgment, but to pray and trust in my Savior for everything. (Proverbs 3:5-7) –Jennifer Bryant-

4. I’ve learned that my 20's aren't just life's waiting room between my teenage years and marriage but rather a time to throw myself whole-heartedly into the service of God while there are no distractions. (1 Corinthians 7:25-35) –DeAndrea Harris-

3. I've learned to be set apart in faith AND action and to be able to give an account for my lack of conformity to this world the way Dallas sees it. Giving an answer to the hope that I've found in Christ Jesus (James 2:18; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 3:15). -Chris Landry-

2. I’ve learned to trust and believe in the Gospel. My life is no longer my own, and should look completely different because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Mark 8:34-36) –Allyson Black-

1. We’ve learned that although JP is a great friend and leader who loves all of us of, he is just a shadow of the greatest love of all.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Thank you, JP, for pointing us to the greatest love of all...Jesus Christ. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

www.theporchdallas.com

Sunburns Are Not Fun.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~John 10:10

I loved Ryan’s example of the sunburn last Tuesday and how each summer, even though he had gotten burned before, he wouldn’t use sunscreen and would get sunburned again…again…and again. What a simple, yet perfect, example of how we are in life. It’s similar to the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

I remember chatting with JP about dating back in ‘09 and him sharing a verse that has stuck with me ever since. "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." ~Proverbs 26:11

How gross is it when dogs go back to their own vomit?! The sad thing is that’s what we do when we return to the things that have burned us. This is often a sin in our life that we keep doing, knowing that the outcome is probably not going to be good nor is it glorifying to the Lord. It could be the way we spend our money, how we talk about people, lying or exaggerating about things, the type of people we date or how we date, or any other area in our lives that we struggle with.

JP followed up that verse by saying, “So you’ve tried it your way, and how has that worked out for you? Why not try it God’s way?”

"Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them." ~Proverbs 26:12

You see we get burned because we don’t remember what we should have done, shouldn’t have done, or the pain we felt. Then often the burn leaves a scar. Sometimes the scar is a reminder of the pain, and sometimes the scar is a reminder of God’s victory.

What area of your life do you keep getting burned?
Have you trusted Christ with this area of your life and tried it His way?
Are you learning from your pain and seeing God’s victory in your scars?

I remember getting to a point in my life where I was tired of getting burned again and again. I was tired of doing things my way only to never feel peace, hope, and joy. That’s when I fully surrendered…faith was all I had.

“Faith isn’t faith until it’s ALL you’re holding on to.”

www.theporchdallas.com